Methods for measuring unit maneuvering allowance of a control area and assessing the level of unit maneuvering for generating units

This paper presents two methods one for measuring and the other for assessing the level of unit maneuvering of unit under automatic generation control (AGC) in a control area (CA). Method 1 provides a mean for computing the minimum level of maneuvering. It computes a quantity called the unit maneuvering allowance (UMA) using the CA's load curve, interchange schedule, and manual generation data. Excess unit maneuvering, the additional maneuvering beyond UMA is considered and can be used to evaluate the performance of the CA's AGC algorithm with regard to unit maneuvering. Method 2 derives a measure that can be used to assess the level of unit maneuvering for individual generating units, including jointly owned ones, operating under AGC. This measures is obtained by computing the root mean square value of the lower/raise control signals issued to each unit. For jointly owned units, this measure shows that a reduction in generation change request signals from one owner will reduce the maneuvering imposed upon the unit. Such units will receive this relief even if the other owner does not reduce its generation change request signals.